I remember when pot was only legal medically here in Colorado. Those were the times. The statewide legalization of marijuana hasn’t had the most positive effect on Colorado as a whole. There is a sufficient moral degradation that has accompanied it. I won’t argue that pot is solely to blame for the disease facing our state, as drug legislation in Colorado fails across the board. Lax laws around marijuana and fentanyl have given rise to the cartel in Colorado. I acknowledge that this is a deeper issue than the “legalization of a plant’. Although, to say it doesn’t play a part is a foolish statement. The people who moved to this state based on that law were a net negative. Bringing their politics and degeneracy with them. Due to the influx of Democrats/illegals and the outright election fraud Denver has followed in the shoes of LA and Portland.
Colorado was the first state to defy the Federal Government and pass a law allowing the legal sale and production of marijuana products. We support the right of Colorado to make such a law on a constitutional basis; much like Roe VS Wade, it is a states rights issue. In 2012 by means of amendment 64; marijuana became legal. The election this year marks one decade since Colorado voters decided to pass the ammendment. I wonder what the difference would have been to nationally legalize it. Colorado would be a much better state to live in sans the influx of people. After the legalization this state saw a massive population boom. Many of these people moved here purely for hedonistic purposes. Those who came here due to the booming job market at the time get a slight pass.
Population boom of stoners leaves Colorado burnt out.
Today the state I hold so beloved has the 11th highest homeless population, the highest car theft rate per capita, and a rampant drug addiction issue. This is not sustainable. Colorado is also pricing out a large portion of its residents. There are ways the government could make things affordable; like not levying more taxes and reducing spending. Obviously, the fat pig gets mad if you pull the trough away. But unfortunately for the pig, the American spirit has a taste for bacon. In other words, taxation without representation is armed robbery. Colorado voters showed this sentiment when they voted for TABOR in 1992.
As one could predict the legalization and population boom have given rise to organized crime. International cartels are using the lax marijuana laws to operate out of our state. Violent crime has been consistently on the rise. There is no doubt that this all goes hand in hand.
Drug use ruins the sober mind and erodes society
Elites love drugs or Pharmekia. Unfortunately so does a large portion of Colorado. A 2016-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health gave us some expected metrics just four to five years after legalization. Colorado trended back then, to be among the worst states in terms of drug use. Today it is extremely likely that Colorado’s drug use has only risen. Because of the general dissolving of modern society and the lockdowns, it logically would lead to a rise in the already increased drug use of Colorado. One drive down Colfax end to end will convince you. Along side the junkie you often find the tricks and Colfax is no exception. Healthy societies don’t allow drug zombies and whores to become prevalent.
Colorado youths are consuming 30% less weed, man.
Although access to marijuana is at an all time high, Colorado youth has seen a decrease in the rate of marijuana consumption. According to NORML, a marijuana advocate group, there has been an estimated 30% drop in high schoolers consuming the drug. Teens in Colorado may be consuming less marijuana but they consume arguably the most addictive drug constantly, social media. While you can escape reality through drugs the youth today has ample means of escape. From VR to Podcasts todays youth are constantly able to get the dopamine hit they are searching for. It becomes easy to see why it seems teens are behaving more responsibly, they switched drugs.
What solutions are there to this plague?
Luke Niforatos the vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana addressed this issue in a guest column in the Gazette. “While it may seem déclassé, discouraging drug use before it starts — and getting people the help they need to stop — must be part of our public health and safety strategy.” These are key steps to take in this battle. Outside of resources there may be little the state can do. If someone wants to waste their life to drugs they will. Intervention will only lead to repeated bouts of sobriety if the desire to use isn’t addressed.
As someone who has personal experience with all manner of intoxicating chemicals marijuana is probably the least worrisome federally illegal drug aside from potentially mushrooms. That being said, federal drug policy hasn’t worked. People need a reason to not use drugs. The chemicals are inherently pleasurable. Making it illegal only makes it more tempting to the heart of man. The true remedy to non-medicinal drug use is a prescription of faith, repentance, and submission to the Lord taken daily. Though it sounds great, you cannot legislate people into the kingdom of heaven.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.